Page 17 of Fractured Shadows

Bracken eases closer. “The softest.”

Grimus scowls at him. “Back off, fey.” To me, he says, “Get some rest while you can. I’ll take the first watch.” He stands and moves away to take a seat at the fire, beginning to cook his own meat. The scent of cooking food fills the air again, and I wonder why my blood would attract more monsters than the smell of food.

Unless it’s the magic Grimus mentioned.

But that’s silly. I don’t have any magic.

Nodding, I ease myself to the ground and lean back against the log, tilting my head back until I’m looking up at the trees overhead. Strangely, the trees here are almost more beautiful than the withered, struggling things we have in the Shadow Lands. As if, in between two places drawing power, there’s nothing left for those of us in the middle.

My eyelids fall of their own accord before I can even fight to stay awake. Somehow, I’m able to sleep, and I know it’s because of how safe I feel near Grimus, which is ironic considering I’m in the company of monsters.

Perhaps I don’t mind the monsters who dare to keep me alive.

ChapterTwelve

My dreams are filled with images of the cruel king and monsters slipping from the darkness to eat me. At one point, though, those monsters turn into sensual creatures that make me want to be eaten. It’s with that awareness hovering in my mind that I awaken, the memories of those dreams making my face flush bright before I acknowledge my surroundings.

It takes me a few seconds to realize I’m not looking up into the trees, but into a pair of golden eyes. I panic, intending to scramble backward, but I’m stopped by the log I managed to lodge myself against in my sleep.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I hiss, shoving at Bracken as he hovers over me. “And how long have you been staring at me?”

“Oh,” he sings, “about an hour. You just look so pretty when you’re sleeping.”

“That’s creepy,” I tell him, but he still doesn’t move from his position. “Why are you staring at me?”

“I’m hungry too.” He sighs, tilting his head to the side in a way that makes his hair fall like a curtain around us. It’s almost romantic, if not for the way his eyes dip down to my body.

“So then go eat,” I snarl, pushing him again. This time, he eases back a little.

He grins. “I drink blood, Goldie. Are you volunteering?”

I pinch my lips. “Definitely fucking not.” I shove harder, and he finally moves away enough for me to see Grimus sleeping farther down the log. “Grimus,” I say, and he doesn’t move. “Grimus!”

He startles awake and looks over at us, his eyes first on me and then Bracken. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“He’s trying to eat me,” I reply.

Grimus rolls his eyes and stretches as if he’s unbothered by it. “Go find something to eat, fey, so we can get on with our journey.”

Bracken winks at me and stands. “Just know, Goldie, when I’m out there drinking blood, I’ll be thinking of you the entire time and the way your magic will taste on my tongue as you moan in pleasure.” He strokes a finger down my collarbone, and I jerk back in annoyance.

“Don’t,” I warn. “I’m not some fetish.”

“Oh, but you are, Goldie,” he replies. “Oh, but you are.” Then he disappears into the trees.

“He’s a real piece of work, isn’t he?”

Grimus shrugs. “He’s old. The magic in the Dead Lands is tainted now. I’m honestly surprised he’s still able to form a coherent thought.”

I frown. “How old is he?”

“Older than I am,” Grimus answers. “That’s as much as I know.”

I stare off into the trees again, curious, but when Bracken returns, wiping a bit of blood from the corner of his lips, I decide not to bring it up. Not yet. Especially when he looks at me with heat in his eyes and I have to clench my thighs.

Grimus hands me a pair of rough slippers. The material is hard and strong, and it will probably cause blisters, but they are thick enough to protect my feet. I don’t understand where the material came from until I realize Grimus is missing a bit of his leather armor on his shoulder.

“Thank you,” I murmur, and he shrugs as if it means nothing, but it means far more to me.

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